10 Gigabit Ethernet Pluggable Optics
At-A-Glance
All you need to know about XENPAK, X2, and XFP transceivers
on Cisco routing and switching products.
Why Should I Care About 10 Gigabit Etherenet
Pluggable Optics?
To deploy 10 Gigabit Ethernet (GE) applications across Cisco®
switching and routing platforms, a system engineer faces a wide
range of options in terms of port types for various reaches and media
as well as transceiver technologies across Cisco switches and routers.
This quick guide helps you navigate your way through GE technologies
on Cisco switches and routers.
SingleMode Fiber
Reach (km)2
Cisco Port Type (IEEE 802.3ae std)
ITU-T G.652 10
10GBASE-LR
ITU-T G.652 10
10BASE-LW
ITU-T G.652 40
10GBASE-ER
ITU-T G.652 80
10GBASE-ZR
ITU-T G.652 200
10GBASE-DWDM
What are The Benefits of Cisco 10 GE Pluggable Optics?
Cisco XENPAK, X2, and XFP transceivers are designed and built
according to Cisco specifications and are compatible with industry
standards known as Multi-Source Agreements (MSAs). Cisco
transceivers are designed and tested to provide complete hardware
integration with Cisco platforms. Cisco pluggable optics, by undergoing
a thorough and extensive qualification process, are certified according
to industry-leading standards on quality.
2 Actual distance will vary depending on the fiber plant characteristics.
Figure 1. Cisco XFP, X2, and XENPAK Transceivers (left to right)
Pluggable Optics for 10 GE Applications
The following table shows the most relevant differences among the
three transceiver types.
10 GE Port Types
To accommodate an ever-growing spectrum of 10 GE applications,
Cisco Systems® currently supports eight different port types where
each technology is cost-optimized for the reach and transmission
media demanded by particular 10 GE applications.
Cisco provides three types of hot-pluggable transceivers for 10 GE
applications: XENPAK, X2, and XFP. These will interoperate as
long as they support the same port type.
Feature
XENPAK
X2
XFP
Port Types
Today
All
No
LW/ZR/DWDM
No
LX4/CX4/ZR/DWDM
Size (cm)
126 x 36 x 17
100 x 36 x 12
78 x 18 x 10
Connector
SC
SC
LC
10 GE Pluggable Platform Support
The following table summarizes at a high level which platforms
support which pluggable optics. For additional details refer to the
hardware and software compatibility matrix posted on Cisco.com:
http://www.cisco.com/univercd/cc/td/doc/product/gbic_sfp/10gbxcvr
/ol_6974.pdf
Copper
Reach (m)
Cisco Port Type (IEEE 802.3ak std)
Infiniband
Copper
Up to 15 m
10GBASE-CX4
Multimode
Fiber1
Reach (m)
Cisco Port Type (IEEE 802.3ae std)
62
Up to 33 m
10GBASE-SR
Cisco Shared Port
Adapter (SPA) Routers
62
Up to 300 m
10BASE-LX4
50
66 to 300 m
10GBASE-SR
50
240 to 300 m
10BASE-LX4
Platform
XENPAK
X2
XFP
Cisco
6500 Series,
Cisco 7600 Series
Today
2006
–
Cisco 4500 Series
–
Today
–
Cisco CRS-1
Today
Catalyst®
Cisco Catalyst 3750 Series
Today
–
–
Today
–
–
1 Refer to Cisco data sheets for details on the reach available on each fiber type:
http://www.cisco.com/en/US/products/ps6574/index.html
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